Palmeiras: Abel seeks ideal XI amid injuries, bans, wobbles v Cerro | OneFootball

Palmeiras heads into the decisive match against Cerro Porteño this Wednesday (19), at 7 p.m. (Brasília time), at Estadio Nueva Olla in Asunción, facing a problem that goes beyond the need to secure qualification for the CONMEBOL Libertadores quarterfinals: the lack of continuity in the team’s lineup.

Since the calendar resumed after the World Cup break, coach Abel Ferreira has still not managed to repeat a starting lineup. Between suspensions, injuries, the return of players who were at the World Cup, and different individual form, the coach has been forced to find different solutions in practically every match.

The situation is also evident ahead of the clash with Cerro. After the 1-1 draw in the first leg at Nubank Parque, Palmeiras need to secure qualification away from home. Andreas Pereira, a starter in the first leg, will be unavailable due to suspension, creating yet another forced change in midfield.

The situation sums up a difficulty Abel has been facing since the World Cup break: finding a lineup capable of building continuity.

Injuries have also affected the planning

Palmeiras began the second half of the season having to deal with different physical issues. Paulinho, for example, returned to the team after a long recovery process and was still being closely monitored by the coaching staff.

The forward had undergone two surgeries on his right leg and returned to matches gradually. After the World Cup break, the club increased his workload, but Abel always stressed the need to assess how the player’s body responded before planning a run as a starter.

When the Brasileirão resumed, Paulinho even started against Atlético-MG, playing 65 minutes, but later suffered a sprain in his left ankle. The problem kept him out of the match against Vitória and, later, he returned to the squad against Fortaleza.

Now, however, Paulinho has once again become a concern. The forward did not take part in training this Monday (17) and remains under treatment for an adductor muscle injury, currently one of two first-team players still sidelined.

The other is Ramón Sosa, who is also out with a muscle problem.

The list of players who have already gone through the medical department during this period is even longer. Gustavo Gómez had a thigh muscle injury and missed important matches, while Khellven also dealt with a muscle problem. Both, however, are now available to Abel again. Gómez, in fact, returned as an option after missing games because of the injury.

Jefté is a different case. The full-back underwent surgery on his right knee and is only expected to return in 2027, remaining outside Abel’s plans for the rest of the season.

At the moment, therefore, Paulinho and Ramón Sosa are the injured players from the list mentioned, while Gustavo Gómez and Khellven have already recovered. Jefté is still recovering from knee surgery and is only expected back in 2027.

Suspensions make things even harder

If injuries already force Abel to change his choices, suspensions make it even harder to find a settled core.

When the Brasileirão resumed, Palmeiras at one point had six absences for different reasons. Barboza, Khellven, Ramón Sosa, and Allan were suspended, while Jefté was recovering from surgery and Flaco López was still on leave after the World Cup.

Against Coritiba, for example, Abel used a three-center-back setup, with full-backs playing as wing-backs and an attacking trio made up of Maurício, Jhon Arias, and Ramón Sosa. The team won 3-1, but the setup could not be maintained right away because of the suspensions.

Individual form also matters

In addition to the medical and disciplinary issues, Abel also has to deal with each player’s form.

The return of the players who took part in the World Cup happened gradually. Gustavo Gómez, Mauricio, and Ramón Sosa returned to the club after representing Paraguay, while Jhon Arias also needed a period to rejoin the squad after the tournament. Flaco López, meanwhile, stayed longer with Argentina and only returned later.

This meant the coach had to manage different physical loads and match fitness levels within the squad itself.

Vitor Roque also went through a physical transition process after returning and initially had his minutes managed. Sosa, on the other hand, earned more space at certain times and even formed the attack alongside Arias and Maurício.

Flaco López also needed to regain rhythm after the World Cup, but he started scoring again and has grown stronger in Abel’s attacking choices.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.